Linking to others’ websites is a good idea PROVIDED you carry out a few little checks. Otherwise, you could find yourself in deep trouble (and possibly in need of a lawyer!)
First, check that the terms of the site you want to link to allow you to link to it. You should find the answer in its website Terms of Use which are usually reached via a link from the homepage. If linking is permitted, then:
- Warn your customers that they are leaving your site, especially if the other site is embedded in your site i.e. looks as if it is part of your site
- Make sure your website Terms of Use say that you are not liable for any linked site’s content
- Don’t include the linked site’s logos, trademarks or content on your site without their permission or they could bring a claim against you for damages (e.g. for breach of copyright or ‘passing off’)
- Make sure you identify the other site’s trademark and/or copyright notices
- Ideally have a formal linking agreement which not only lessens the risk of the other site being annoyed with you, but can establish a positive partnership and create revenue
Hot tip: if you don’t have Website Terms of Use, visit our on-line document shop where they can be bought and downloaded immediately- in other words “oven-ready”! Go to: www.offtoseemylawyer.com and click on ‘Document Shop’
Think before you link!